Hello Lego Boot!
It’s June 8th and I’m enjoying myself but my body is failing me, a stabbing pain in my foot becomes harder to ignore and by the time I reach Southport at the end of a 39 kilometre day I’m hobbling badly. Dealing with discomfort is part of the daily routine for the long distance walker but this feels like something must be seriously wrong. I’m hopeful a good night’s sleep will help.
Injury location…..apparently
Unfortunately this proves optimistic and fearing a stress fracture I make the heart wrenching decision to head home and get medical assistance. The MRI scan shows a longitudinal tear of the Tibialis Anterior Tendon on the top of the foot. The specialist tells me surgery won’t be necessary but I need to immobilise the foot in a ‘walker boot’ for six weeks before starting rehab. How did this happen I ask the doctor? he looks at me like I’m out of my mind “You’ve just walked 4,000 kilometres!”.
After seven weeks, freedom again
Researching other long distance walkers and runners who’ve had similar injuries it seems to be brought about by a combination of factors such as tight shoe laces, change of terrain and increase in distance. All these factors apply in my case as the last eight days have been on flat concrete which encouraged me to increase my daily mileage as the going felt easier and I was feeling fit after the hilly coast of west Wales. Irony huh!
The injury happened seven week ago as I write this and I’ve now managed a few short and careful days back on the trail. For the next few months I’ll be walking with sturdier footwear, using trekking poles more often and reducing both daily milage and pack weight with a view to aid in my recovery. Wish me luck!
Sorry to hear about your injury. I am glad to hear you are better, and I hope you will be able to get back to normal very fast.
Thanks very much, easy to take movement fore-granted until it doesn’t work!
Really sorry to hear of your injury. Hope you recover fully soon!
Thanks, on the mend now … I hope!
What rotten luck – all the best for a grand recovery
yes annoying! thanks
Ouch! Best of luck, give yourself time for your body to heal properly! We’re thoroughly enjoying your blog, thank you for sharing, and best of luck with the next steps.
Thanks, it’s tricky to get the right balance of patience and perseverance!
Sorry to hear about your injury but good you are recovering. Take care.
Thanks!
Best wishes, hope you can soon return to your journey!
Thanks!
Best wishes and hope you’ll be back to your walk soon!
Thanks! I’ve done a handful of shorter days. Will post the photos soon
We all live in dread of this type of strain- try to take it easy for the next month and fingers crossed you will be as good as new.
Like everyone else, I really look forward to your updates. Tony and I still walking the amazing SW coast path every week and continually reminding ourselves what lucky chaps we are. Very best wishes to you
Thank Mike, it’s never a bad thing to be reminded how fragile our bodies are. Glad to hear the SW coast is going well. I’m back out again from Monday
Good luck indeed! So sorry to hear you’ve been injured. Hope you have a speedy recovery.
thanks, getting better now!
Best to you for a speedy recovery. Here’s an article that I found very helpful for my clients with respect to ankle and foot mobility. You probably already know these, but LMK if these are helpful in any way.
http://www.marksdailyapple.com/how-to-improve-wrist-and-ankle-mobility/
That’s a great article thanks. I’ve watched the vides and I’ll try adding those Dorsiflexion exercises into my stretching routine. I’m pretty stiff down there after wearing a walker boot for 7 weeks!
I had been worried about you as non of your beautiful photos had reached me for so long. I’m glad you are on the mend and wish you a full recovery. Don’t rush the healing process. Best wishes Diana
thanks, thought I need to post what was going on here to let people know I hadn’t given up!
Best of luck! Sounds like you’ll be back to good walks soon!
thanks, back to it now 🙂
Heal quickly and thoroughly!
thank you
Hope all is mending well, and you will be back on the track soon.
Considering the distance walked to date you have coped physically very well, just a little bad luck tearing a tendon.
We have been following your blog and superb photos ever since we met you as you left Cadgwith Cove in Cornwall last year.
(Do you remember us directing you back onto the right path that day)
I do indeed and thanks for the best wishes. Thinking about that part of Cornwall makes me nostalgic, it’s just so beautiful around the Lizard!
Oops…typo error. Cadgwith Cove it should’ve read above.
Don’t forget to let me know when you’re ready and fit enough to tackle the Fylde Coast part of your walk if you still want some company?
Don’t forget to let me know when you’re ready and fit enough to tackle the Fylde Coast part of your walk if you still want some company?